Improvement in fence-posts



H. A. PIERCE.

Fence-Post.

No. 204,246. Patented May 28,1878:

WITNESSES l NVENTOR' I ATTORNEY mv'ErERs, PHDTD-LITMOGRAPHER, WASHINGTOh. m0.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.)

HENRY A. PIERCE, OF MOLIIIE, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN FENCE-POSTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 204,246, dated May 28, 1878 application filed November 3, 1877.

tion and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part.

of this specification, and to theletters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a top view of my improved fence-post. Fig. 2 is a side view thereof, and Fig. 3 'is a bottom view of the same.

This invention has relation to improvements in screw fence-posts and the nature of the invention consists in combining with a metallic fence-post, having a boring device at its lower end, a broad disk arranged at right angles to the said post above the boring-point, which is forced against the upper surface of the ground by the penetration of the said point into the soil, whereby the post is maintained in an upright condition. It also consists in combining with a screwpost for fences a steadying-plate, arranged above the screw-point, having spaced perforations along its outer edge adapted to receive a pin, whereby the post in exposed situations or in light soils is additionally stayed, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the annexed drawings, the letter A designates a preferably cylindrical metallic post or post-socket, having at its lower end a point, a, extending down from the center of a metallic disk, B, rigidly secured to or forming a component part of the said post. This plate or disk B is radially slotted, as shown at b, Fig. 3, and one edge of these slots is turned down, so as to form lips or flanges 0, having sharp edges 5, which will cause the plate B to penetrate into the ground, when the point a. is inserted into the same, and the post turned upon its longitudinal axis, after the manner of an auger-bit. The disk B is considerably wider than the post or post-socket, and consequently when it is forced into the ground opposes great resistance to the withdrawal of the same, except by a reversed rotary motion therefrom.

At a certain distance above the boring-disk is a steadying-disk, O, of greater diameter, having along its edges a number of spaced perforations, d. As the post or post-socket is forced into the ground the disk 0 is gradually approximated to the same, and finally comes forcibly in contact with it, forming a. broad base,which effectually sustains the post when exposed to the action of the wind.

In peculiarly windy situations, or in light loamy or sandy soils, pins or bolts are driven through the perforations d into the ground, thus additionally staying the said posts.

In practice the entire post may be made of metal, in which case mortises or perforations 1' will be made on opposite sides thereof, for the reception of the longitudinal rails or wires forming thepanels of the fence, or it may form a socket into which the end of a wooden post may be inserted. In the former case I prefer to use a stiffening-core, J, which enables me to lessen the weight and cost of the metallic post.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination, with the post A, having a disk, B, provided with a centering-point, a, and the down-turned pointed lips e, of the broad steadying-plate 0, arranged. above the said disk, substantially as specified.

In testimony thatI claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY ALONZO PIERCE.

Witnesses:

HARRISON P. PIERCE, WM. TURNER. 

